Keith Wrightson, in his English
Society 1580-1680 (Rutgers University Press, 1984), argues that status
in Early Modern England was determined by birth, titles, wealth, life style,
occupation, legal status, and land tenure.

Statute of Artificers, promulgated
in 1563 and incorporated into Elizabethan Poor Law of 1601, required all
persons between 12-60 without other employment to “serve in husbandry”
while artisans were required to serve seven-year apprenticeships. Wages
were to be assessed by JPs in counties and by mayors in towns. Working
hours between March and Septembers were set from 5 am to 7 pm.